ELA Alumni

Class of 2021

2021 ELA President: Reginald Parson

Reginald “Reggie” Parson was elected by the ELA class of 2021, becoming the first African-American class president in the program’s history. Parson, a legislative aide to the speaker and majority caucus in the Maine House of Representatives, pushed for greater staff involvement in CSG East and authored changes to organizational rules regarding ELA officer appointments to the CSG East Executive Committee.

Notable Alumna: Melony Griffith
In 2020 – shortly after completing ELA – Senator Griffith became the first African American woman elected as President Pro Tempore for the Maryland Senate. In this role, Griffith served as the leader of the Senate chamber in the absence of Senate President Bill Ferguson. In addition to serving as President Pro Tempore, Senator Griffith also served as the chair of the Budget and Taxation Committee’s Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. She was a valued member of the Maryland Senate senior leadership team, providing input and guidance on major policy initiatives.

Notable Alum: Senator Carmelo Ríos

Senator Carmelo Ríos Santiago participated in the Eastern Leadership Academy shortly after becoming the majority leader of the Puerto Rico Senate. He was also elected president of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators earlier in 2018, having served as vice president for membership, parliamentarian, and vice president. Senator Ríos Santiago has served in the Puerto Rico Senate since 2005 and continues to be an active member on the CSG East Executive Committee.

2014 Class President: Lauren Vella

Lauren CW Vella joined the ELA class of 2014 as a senior legislative aide and was elected by her peers as class president. Shortly after the program, she was promoted to legislative director for the Delaware House of Representative majority caucus. Later, she would advance to serve as the policy director for the Delaware Department of Justice and return to the House in 2021 as chief of staff.

Notable Alumna: Michaelle Solages

Michaelle was elected to represent New York’s 22nd Assembly District in 2012 and is the first person of Haitian descent to be elected into the New York State Legislature. She currently serves as the Assembly Deputy Majority Leader as well as chair of The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus. Through her work, she strives to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and protected equally under the law throughout New York State.

Notable Alum: Eugene Young

Eugene Young participated in ELA as a legislative aide from Delaware before going on to serve as president and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League (since 2017), founded the grassroots organizing nonprofit Network Delaware, and served as an aide to former mayor and current U.S. Senator Cory Booker. In 2021, Young was appointed director of the Delaware State Housing Authority by Governor John Carney.

Notable Alum: Lou D’Allesandro

Lou D’Allesandro has represented the 20th District in the New Hampshire Senate since 1998. He currently serves as chair of the Finance Committee and vice-chair of the Ways and Means and Capital Budget committees. He previously served three terms as an executive councilor and two terms as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Senator D’Allesandro served as the CSG 2019 National Chair, CSG East 2022 co-chair, and continues to be a leader in the organization.